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Oregon Football

Texas transfer finds a second chance at UO after legal issues

After a winter in which Oregon football players made headlines for off-field transgressions, the Ducks have added a transfer from the University of Texas who made similar headlines there.

However, coach Chip Kelly said Wednesday that he and his staff “thoroughly” investigated defensive back Marcus Davis, including contacting members of the UT staff and prep coaches who “all spoke on the kid’s behalf.”

The Ducks confirmed Wednesday that Davis has enrolled at Oregon for summer classes. He will redshirt during the 2010 season, as per NCAA transfer rules, but participate in practices and be eligible to play in 2011, when he would be a sophomore in eligibility.

Davis, from League City, Texas, was suspended “indefinitely” and for the rest of the season last November by Texas coach Mack Brown after being arrested and charged with suspicion of driving while intoxicated and possession of a controlled substance.

According to a police report in Pearland, Texas, police received a 6:48 a.m. report on Nov. 29 describing a blue SUV riding on the rim of at least one blown tire and subsequently arrested Davis, then 18. The police report indicated that the controlled substance was Alprazolam, a medication prescribed to control anxiety.

Ultimately, that charge was dropped. In December, Davis pleaded guilty to reckless driving, a misdemeanor. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail, probation for a year, fined $200 and ordered to pay court costs and other restitution and fees totalling $1,630. He also was ordered to complete 60 hours of community service; court records show that he completed the community service by late April.

Kelly said “what he got pulled over for and what he got charged with are two different things.” He said that Davis was driving on a flat tire. (The police report indicated that the SUV’s spare tire also was flat.)

Kelly said the UO coaches were acquainted with Davis through the recruiting process before his commitment to Texas.

It was reported in January that Davis would transfer.

Last season, Davis played in nine games as a freshman for the Longhorns, recording 10 tackles, six unassisted, including one sack.

Listed at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, Davis was rated as a four-star recruit by various services, which reported that he committed to the Longhorns after receiving scholarship offers from Florida, Florida State, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas Christian, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and UCLA. He graduated from high school in December 2008 and enrolled at Texas the following month.

Davis was a prep all-American at Clear Creek High School and was ranked among ESPN’s top 150 national prospects. He played in the 2009 U.S. Army All-America Bowl after recording 179 tackles, eight interceptions and five blocked kicks during his final three prep seasons. Davis also returned six kicks for touchdowns during his prep career in addition to being rated the nation’s eighth-best cornerback recruit following the 2008 season.

The three-time high school all-district defensive back won district titles in the 110-meter hurdles and long jump.